Detective Gordon: The First Case by Ulf Nilsson is part a mystery story but also part a story of friendship in a friendly forest. Detective Gordon, a toad, is the only officer in the forest, and he sits alone at his desk. When a hungry and lonely forest mouse is caught stealing nuts from squirrel’s winter stock, he invites her home and gives her some food. He is aghast that she does not even have a name, and proudly bestows one on her. Buffy becomes his sidekick, and together they are able to find a solution to the stolen nuts in the forest. Detective Gordon is a fun addition to the early chapter book lists and I hope this is the first of many such adventures for the good detective and his meek side kick.Continue Reading

Power Up: A Visual Exploration of Energy by Shaker Paleja and Glenda Tse is a visually appealing and easily accessible book about energy for the upper elementary school and middle school student to enjoy perusing. Each page provides a huge amount of detail but the format of the pages gives the book a casual feel that gives the reader a reassurance that this is a fun book to read. Graphics, graphs, charts, diagrams, and illustrations make the abundance of information readily accessible.

Chapters include a general Introduction to Energy, Non-Renewable Energy, Renewable Energy, and the Future of Energy. Although I’m not an expert in science by any means, I had considered I understood a lot about energy and its sources and uses in the world. This book taught me a lot, and I was quite interested especially in the chapters on the future of energy.Continue Reading

Breaking Stalin’s Nose by Eugene Velchin is a lighthearted look at a serious time in Russian history. From the other books I reviewed this week about Pakistan child slavery and the Sudanese civil war, I have had a heavy week for reviewing difficult subjects. Breaking Stalin’s Nose, on the other hand, is a completely fictional story, but it still rings true.Continue Reading

In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord (published 1984) tells of one girl’s journey from her traditional Chinese home to New York City in 1947. How can Shirley hold on to her heritage in such a strange land?Continue Reading

Search for a Book Review

Archives

Authors, Publishers, and Publicists

Please refer to my review policy before sending me a request to read your book for review.

Disclosure

Occasionally, I accept copies of books for review consideration. All such books will be tagged "Review Copy". Accepting a book for review does not affect my opinion of the book.
I am also an Amazon affiliate. Items purchased via Amazon through a link on any of these pages may result in a commission to me. Thank you for your support.